Addictions

What is addiction?

A physical addiction is an uncontrollable and compulsive use of drugs or alcohol even when it interferes with everyday responsibilities. Addiction is progressive, generally starting with a casual use of the 'drug of choice' with escalating tolerance levels. Eventually there are intense physical cravings for the drug and an emotional obsession to continue using it despite the consequences.

Ironically, denial is a strong symptom of addiction. Denial involves minimizing and justifying continued use as a defense mechanism to avoid recognizing the extent of the addiction. Recognition and acceptance of the addictive behavior is an initial requirement to finding a way out.

Alcoholism

Alcohol Addiction

Many people hear the term ‘alcoholic’ and assume you have to be homeless or toothless or a complete loser to qualify. That just isn’t the case. Most alcoholics operate at a functional level most of the time. Unfortunately, alcoholism is progressive and, over time, the ability to manage drinking levels becomes impossible.

People who experience any combination of these behaviors should seriously consider the possibility that they may be an alcoholic:

Regularly have more than 4 drinks in a day.

Drinking has made you careless about the safety of yourself, your family, or others.

Unable to stop drinking after a few drinks.

You drink alone.

Need or routinely have a drink at a specific time of the day.

Drinking at work, school, or in the morning.

Drinking has caused problems at home or with your job.

Your ambition has decreased because of drinking.

You have lost productivity due to drinking.

Relationships have been lost or harmed by drinking.

You use alcohol to cope with emotional problems, worries, or other troubles.

You drink to boost your self-confidence

Your drinking causes regret and/or remorse.

Drinking helps you feel more comfortable in social situations.

You lower your standards with friends and companions when drinking.

Drinking is contributing to financial or legal difficulties.

Drinking causes you to have difficulty sleeping.

You have blacked out or had memory loss during drinking episodes.

You needed medical attention or treatment because of drinking episodes.

Drugs

Drug Addiction and Abuse

Addiction is a disease with biological, psychological and social causes. It may begin with curiosity, fun with friends, or to relieve stress, anxiety, or depression. Ultimately, though, there are many harmful consequences. With addiction, individuals are unable to control their drug use and may sincerely want to quit, but use continues despite the harm it causes.

Here are many common characteristics of people who are addicted to drugs. If you identify with any combination of these behaviors, it is highly probable that drug addiction is a real problem.

Sometimes you feel guilty about your drug use.

You use a drug to avoid your real emotions.

You crave the drug to feel normal.

You feel uncomfortable if your drug is not available so you keep a steady supply around.

Friends or family have expressed concern or complained about your behavior.

You sneek or hide your drug use from friends, family, or coworkers.

You have broken promises to control your using.

You have gone to work or school high

You need the drug in order to fall asleep or get the day started.

You have taken more than you have intended or overdosed.

You have switched to different drugs to control or reduce your consumption — or to prove to yourself that you’re not ‘addicted.’

You have financial, legal, or marital difficulties because of using.

You have you engaged in illegal activities in order to obtain drugs.

You have had medical problems as a result of drug use (such as memory loss, blackouts or flashbacks, hepatitis, convulsions, bleeding)?

When you stopped taking the drugs, you have withdrawal symptoms (felt sick).

Medications

Perscription Medication Abuse

Prescription drug abuse means taking a prescription drug that is not prescribed for you, or taking it for reasons or in dosages other than as prescribed. Prescription drugs are often abused because they are believed to be safer. However, they are just as dangerous as every other drug. As with most other illicit drugs, continued abuse of medications can lead to withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped.